According to a release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, controversial Brunswick Pastor Kenneth Adkins, 56, turned himself in Friday morning on one count of aggravated child molestation and one count of child molestation.
Adkins is known in south Georgia and in Jacksonville area politics, including as an outspoken supporter of the recent North Carolina 'bathroom bill.'
In addition to his statements regarding the bathroom bill, Adkins tweeted a statement after the June Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, that said, "been through so much with these Jacksonville Homosexuals that I don't see none of them as victims. I see them as getting what they deserve!!"
Since that point, Adkins' Twitter account, which shows he supports Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has been closed to non-subscribers.
The investigation against Adkins in regards to these child molestation charged began on Aug. 12 with the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson requesting the help of the GBI. The investigation is still ongoing.
According to the Florida Times-Union, attorney Kevin Gough is representing Adkins and that he or a member of Adkins' family would issue a statement later in the day on Friday.
Gough said he believes the accusations against Adkins are said to have occurred in 2010.
Gough said that Adkins had willingly turned himself in, and Carson confirmed he reported to the Glynn County Sheriff's Office at 9 a.m. to answer arrest warrants.
Adkins told the Times-Union recently that he has three congregations including one in the Atlanta area.
He's been arrested before, several times in Duval County over the years, once in 2010 for uttering a fake or worthless check, and several times in the early 2000s for similar crimes.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry released a statement Friday:
“I know nothing more about the allegations than what has been reported in the news, but it sickens me. If he is found to have done what he stands accused of, he deserves the fullest punishment the law allows.”
